Wen Ying could, of course, do makeup.
In a bustling metropolis like Shanghai, working at a law firm, those who didn’t wear makeup were the minority.
With years of practice, Wen Ying’s makeup skills weren’t at the level of a B-station beauty vlogger, but they were more than enough for daily life and various occasions.
Li Mengjiao’s face was perfect for her to work with — young, with great skin, a small face, and sweet features. Making her look bad would’ve been a challenge.
And who knew better than Wen Ying what the dairy giant’s chosen ambassador from her past life looked like?
Wen Ying wasn’t satisfied with Ah Feng’s styling for Li Mengjiao because it was overly elaborate.
The flashy, dreamy dress.
The overly intricate makeup.
The excessively cute bun hairstyle.
Individually, they were fine, but together, it was all too much.
Wen Ying grabbed Li Mengjiao. “Come on, I’ll pick your outfit and do your makeup.”
The audition started at ten, but the mall near Xiang Province TV didn’t open until nine. Wen Ying had to handle Li Mengjiao’s outfit and makeup in one place.
Too frugal to buy a full makeup set, she initially planned to use a luxury counter’s free samples. But, thinking of pacifying Manager Chen back in Rong City, she bought a toner and lotion set, earning the right to use the counter’s full makeup range.
The counter staff initially wouldn’t let Wen Ying apply it herself, but she insisted, “If I mess it up, I won’t redo it.”
The customer is king. Since Wen Ying paid, her request to do the makeup herself, though unusual, wasn’t denied. The staff had seen weirder.
Even without buying, trials were allowed, but in 2005, most people lacked the confidence to use luxury counters’ samples without purchasing.
Wen Ying’s thick skin could withstand X-ray scrutiny — she feared nothing.
Still, having bought something, she felt more justified using their products.
The staff thought Wen Ying was joking, but after watching, they couldn’t help but chat. “Your makeup’s so light!”
Wen Ying smiled and nodded. “It’s alright.”
Light was the point.
A touch of primer to even skin tone, a thin layer of foundation — following the “less is more, apply sparingly” rule kept the look natural.
Li Mengjiao’s skin looked fair and radiant, like it glowed with milky sheen, tempting a bite.
Unless you looked closely, you’d barely notice the makeup.
The base was that subtle.
Wen Ying applied just a hint of blush, skipping eyebrow makeup entirely.
No mascara, just a fine inner eyeliner along the lash line.
A bit of eyeshadow to make Li Mengjiao’s eyes pop.
“It’s like she’s not wearing makeup…” the staff muttered.
Wen Ying was pleased.
That was the goal — makeup that looked like none at all.
Li Mengjiao’s skin was already great, with only slight unevenness. Otherwise, Wen Ying wouldn’t have bothered.
Done, Li Mengjiao looked in the mirror and gasped, far more genuine than her reaction to Ah Feng. “My skin’s this good?”
Saying silly things in broad daylight — Wen Ying took it as a compliment. With time running out, she hurried Li Mengjiao to buy clothes.
The mall had every brand — dresses were tricky, but casual clothes were easy.
With ten minutes to ten, Wen Ying and Li Mengjiao rushed to the TV station.
…
Yuan Fenghui waited at the station’s entrance.
She didn’t care that Xiang Province was Liang Dan’s turf. Through Li Zhentao’s overnight networking, she’d connected with a dairy giant executive, securing Li Mengjiao an audition pass.
Li Mengjiao was eligible to audition.
Not even the station director could drive Yuan Fenghui away — she’d linger at the entrance. Liang Dan could stoop low in workplace battles, but Yuan Fenghui was even bolder. She didn’t work for Xiang Province TV, so she could raise hell if needed.
Yuan Fenghui scanned the entrance.
She wasn’t just waiting for Wen Ying and Li Mengjiao — she wanted to see Xu Mei’s look.
Liang Dan, that shameless woman, had bullied two young girls when they were alone. Yuan Fenghui thought herself ruthless, but she’d never targeted minors.
A van pulled up, and Liang Dan stepped out, followed by a dolled-up Xu Mei, Young Master Cao, and Pan Li.
Liang Dan, unfazed by Yuan Fenghui, stopped to taunt, “Need help booking tickets for your pointless trip? Does your little company cover travel expenses?”
“No need for your concern — plenty of people are eager to cover my costs,” Yuan Fenghui shot back.
Tianjiao was small, filming on loans, but Yuan Fenghui didn’t join them out of desperation. She was tired of working under inept bosses. At Tianjiao, she was a shareholder, working for herself.
Pan Li knew Yuan Fenghui spoke the truth.
Professor Fang joined Manager Guan’s company via Director Duan, but even Duan had wanted to poach Yuan Fenghui.
Pan Li knew Duan rated her highly.
Even with Liang Dan’s backing, Pan Li still shrank before Yuan Fenghui.
“Sister Liang, it’s almost time,” Pan Li whispered.
Liang Dan checked her watch and headed inside, not without a jab at Yuan Fenghui. “Was worried about picking Xu Mei’s outfit — thanks for choosing the dress. Li Mengjiao looked so wronged — you should teach her. In this industry, if you’re not famous, there’s plenty more humiliation to come. Oh, hasn’t she arrived? Will she miss the audition?”
Yuan Fenghui pursed her lips, silent.
One glance at Xu Mei, and she knew the dress suited neither Li Mengjiao nor the audition.
A mistake Yuan Fenghui wouldn’t have made, but she’d gotten the news too late, with no time to coordinate with her stylist friend Ah Feng… who was no longer her friend.
Let Xu Mei have the dress.
Yuan Fenghui wasn’t angry — she was stifling a laugh.
Liang Dan thought she had the upper hand, oblivious to being played by two girls, yet smug about it.
Seeing Yuan Fenghui silent, Liang Dan gloated, and Xu Mei felt a long-held grudge lift.
Xu Mei had wanted Yuan Fenghui’s mentorship, but she’d chosen Li Mengjiao.
Clearly, Yuan Fenghui lacked vision.
“Sister Liang, let’s go,” Xu Mei urged.
Liang Dan relented, sparing Yuan Fenghui for now.
Once they left, Yuan Fenghui laughed.
But her laughter turned to worry.
Xu Mei’s look was passable, not standout. What had Wen Ying done with Li Mengjiao?
If her appearance was a disaster, it’d be handing the win to the competition.
As Yuan Fenghui fretted, she spotted two figures crossing the street — Wen Ying and Li Mengjiao. At first glance, nothing seemed different. Had Wen Ying given up?
But a closer look — Li Mengjiao’s twin ponytails swayed with her steps, easing Yuan Fenghui’s anxiety.
After a careful inspection, Yuan Fenghui asked Wen Ying, “How’d you come up with this look?”
Wen Ying had Li Mengjiao spin.
“Don’t ask how I thought of it — just tell me if it looks good!”
